News
Local

Imperial Oil restarting processing unit

Imperial Oil is expecting darker than normal stack emissions as it restarts its coker unit this evening.

An internal operating issue caused excessive flaring and several units at the Sarnia site to be safely shut down Tuesday at about 1:15 p.m., the company said in a news release. Imperial personnel conducted air monitoring.

Spokesperson Jon Harding said the number and what type of units affected cannot be disclosed for competitive reasons.

There were no injuries or environmental impacts from the shutdown, the company said, adding steps are being taken to mitigate the duration and intensity of any stack emissions. Ministry of Environment officials were notified.

“We take steps to control and manage what is coming from the stack and we do so to ensure that we stay within ministry regulations,” Harding said.

“It’s all geared towards making sure that we are doing this in a safe way and a way that’s not going to effect the environment.”

The company doesn’t expect the shutdown will impact it’s ability to supply the marketplace, Harding said.

Higher than normal flaring may also be seen, the company said.

Anyone with concerns or inquiries can call the company’s 24-hour phone line at 519-339-5666, or 1-866-288-2202.